Wireless control of a passenger service unit using a personal device of a passenger

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a passenger service unit includes receiving, by a personal device of a passenger, an electromagnetic (EM) signal. The EM signal includes identification information of the passenger service unit. The method also includes transmitting, by the personal device, a message for controlling operation of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit. The message includes an identification of the one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit and a control input for each of the one or more selected devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______(Attorney Docket No. 19-1632-US-NP[1]), entitled “Wireless Control of aPassenger Service Unit,” filed the same date as the present applicationand incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to a passenger service unit onboard anaircraft and more particularly to wireless control of a passengerservice unit.

BACKGROUND

Most current wide-body passenger aircraft, such as for example,passenger twin aisle aircraft use in-flight entertainment (IFE) tocontrol reading lights and attendant call devices. However, aspassengers bring more smart devices on to the aircraft, some airlinesare streaming IFE content directly to passenger personal devices andeliminating the in-seat IFE controls. The reading light and attendantcall functions remain in the passenger service unit (PSU) above eachseat. The passenger service units on such aircraft, particularlytwin-aisle aircraft, may be out of reach of most seated passengers,especially in a center seating area. Additionally, some known passengeraircraft have the option to delete the center bins, and instead installa fairing with the center PSU mounted above the reaching height of afifth percentile female, meaning a portion of the population may not beable to reach the PSU even when standing.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an example, a method for controlling a passengerservice unit includes receiving, by a personal device of a passenger, anelectromagnetic (EM) signal, wherein the EM signal includesidentification information of the passenger service unit. The methodalso includes transmitting, by the personal device, a message forcontrolling operation of one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit. The message includes an identification of the one or moreselected devices of the passenger service unit and a control input foreach of the one or more selected devices.

In accordance with another example, a personal device configured tocontrol a passenger service unit includes a processor and a memoryassociated with the processor. The memory includes computer-readableprogram instructions that, when executed by the processor causes theprocessor to perform a set of functions. The set of functions includereceiving an electromagnetic (EM) signal, wherein the EM signal includesidentification information of the passenger service unit. The set offunctions also include transmitting a message for controlling operationof one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit. Themessage includes an identification of the one or more selected devicesof the passenger service unit and a control input for each of the one ormore selected devices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinreceiving the EM signal includes receiving a visible light communication(VLC) signal that is receivable by an optical sensor of the personaldevice.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinreceiving the EM signal includes using pulse-width modulation (PWM) inthe EM signal to define the identification information of the passengerservice unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinusing the PWM includes cycling a light of the passenger service unit onand off at a PWM rate that is faster than a human eye can detect.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe method or system further include receiving multiple EM signalstransmitted by the passenger service unit; and using the multiple EMsignals to triangulate a location of the personal device to pair thepersonal device with a particular passenger service unit. The personaldevice of the passenger includes a passenger service unit (PSU) controlapplication configured to pair the personal device with the particularpassenger service unit using the multiple EM signals and based on theidentification information of the passenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereintransmitting the message includes transmitting a wireless message to acabin network control system for controlling the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit. The wireless message includes theidentification information of the passenger service unit, theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit to be controlled, and the control input for each of the oneor more selected devices of the passenger service unit. The cabinnetwork control system is configured to transmit a control message tothe passenger service unit in response to receiving the wirelessmessage. The control message includes the identification information ofthe passenger service unit, the identification of the one or moreselected devices of the passenger service unit to be controlled, and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereintransmitting the message comprises transmitting a wireless controlmessage from the personal device of the passenger to the passengerservice unit to control operation of the one or more selected devices ofthe passenger service unit in response to the wireless control message.

In accordance with an example, a personal device configured to control apassenger service unit includes a passenger service unit (PSU) controlapplication operating on a personal device of a passenger. The personaldevice also includes an electromagnetic (EM) receiver, wherein the PSUcontrol application is configured to control the EM receiver of thepersonal device to receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal from thepassenger service unit. The EM signal includes identificationinformation of the passenger service unit. The personal deviceadditionally includes a transmitter, wherein the PSU control applicationis configured to control the transmitter of the personal device totransmit a message for controlling operation of one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit. The message includes anidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit and a control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe EM receiver includes an optical sensor configured to receive avisible light communication (VLC) signal as the EM signal.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe EM receiver is configured to receive the EM signal using pulse-widthmodulation in the EM signal to define the identification information ofthe passenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe PSU control application is further configured to control the EMreceiver of the personal device to receive multiple EM signals from thepassenger service unit, and wherein the PSU control application uses themultiple EM signals to triangulate a location of the personal device topair the personal device to a particular passenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe personal device further includes a display, wherein the PSU controlapplication is further configured to control the display of the personaldevice to present a graphical user interface on the display to allow aparticular device or devices of the passenger service unit to beselected by the passenger for controlling operation of the particulardevice or devices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe particular device or devices of the passenger service unitrepresented in the graphical user interface for selection by thepassenger include at least one of a light, an airflow control device,and an attendant call device.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe transmitter is a transceiver of the personal device and wherein thePSU control application is further configured to control the transceiverof the personal device to transmit a wireless message to a cabin networkcontrol system for controlling operation of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit. The wireless message includes theidentification information of the passenger service unit, theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit, and the control input for each of the one more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe cabin network control system is configured to transmit a controlmessage to the passenger service unit in response to receiving thewireless message from the personal device. The control message includesthe identification information of the passenger service unit, theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit and the control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe transmitter is a wireless transmitter of the personal device andwherein the PSU control application is further configured to control thewireless transmitter of the personal device to transmit a wirelesscontrol message to the passenger service unit to control operation ofthe one or more selected devices. The wireless control message includesthe identification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit and the control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the wireless controlmessage as a visible light communication (VLC) control message. The VLCcontrol message being receivable by an optical sensor of the passengerservice unit.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yetother examples further details of which can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view an example of a fuselage of a passengeraircraft in accordance with an example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an example a system forcontrolling a passenger service unit of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system forcontrolling a passenger service unit of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with another example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of a graphical user interface(GUI) for controlling a passenger service unit of FIGS. 1 to 3, inaccordance with an example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of an example of a method for controlling apassenger service unit of FIGS. 1 to 3 that may use the GUI of FIG. 4,in accordance with some examples of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein can enable a passenger on an aircraftto control a passenger service unit (PSU) remotely while seated. Thesystems and method described herein allow the passenger to interact withthe passenger service unit without directly contacting the passengerservice unit. Accordingly, the passenger can operate a passenger serviceunit that is out of reach while seated or standing. As will be describedin more detail herein, the system uses electromagnetic signals, such asVisible Light Communication (VLC) signals, to transmit identificationinformation of a passenger service unit to a personal device of apassenger. The electromagnetic signals or VLC signals may usepulse-width modulation to define the identification information of thepassenger service unit. The identification information can be receivedby an optical sensor, such as a camera of the personal device, e.g.,passenger's smartphone, tablet computer, etc. The passenger's personaldevice includes application software provided by an airline or aircraftmanufacture. The application software of the personal device uses theidentification information to pair the personal device with a particularpassenger service and to control the devices of the passenger serviceunit, such as a reading light, airflow control device, attendant calldevice, or other devices.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view an example of a fuselage 100 of apassenger aircraft 102 in accordance with an example of the subjectdisclosure. The exemplary passenger aircraft 102 is a wide-body aircraftthat includes a center section 104 of seats 106 defined between aisles108 and 110. As illustrated in the example in FIG. 1, a passengerservice unit 112 is beyond the average arm reach of a passenger 114seated in one of the seats 106 of the center section 104. The subjectdisclosure describes examples of a system 116 and method 500 forcontrolling devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 without thepassenger 114 having to unbuckle her seat belt and stand. The exemplarysystem 116 and method 500 are also usable for controlling the devices118 of the passenger service unit 112 in situations where the passenger114 can reach the passenger service unit 112 without standing, forexample in the outside sections 120 and 122 of seats 106, or in othersituations where there may be difficulty in reaching any overheaddevices, such as devices 118. Examples of the devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 include, but are not necessarily limited to,a light 124, an airflow control device 126, and an attendant call device128. The light 124 is useable for reading or other purposes by thepassenger 114.

The system 116 for controlling the passenger service unit 112 includes aprocessor 136 and a memory 138 associated with the processor 136. In theexample in FIG. 1, the processor 136 and the memory 138 reside in thepassenger service unit 112. As described in more detail herein, thememory 138 includes computer-readable program instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor 136 causes the processor 136 to perform a setof functions or a method. An example of a method 500 performed at leastpartially by the system 116 will be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 5.

In some examples, such as the exemplary system 116 a in FIG. 2, apersonal device 130 of the passenger 114 is configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a cabin network control system 132 for controlling thedevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112. In other examples, suchas the exemplary system 116 b in FIG. 3, the personal device 130 isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the passenger service unit 112b for controlling the devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b.In the exemplary system 116 b in FIG. 3, the passenger service unit 112b includes a wireless receiver 134 for receiving a wireless controlmessage 302 or 308 from the personal device 130 of the passenger 114 forcontrolling one or more of the devices 118. Examples of the personaldevice 130 include but are not necessarily limited to a smartphone,tablet computer, laptop computer with a camera or any opticalsensor-enabled personal device.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system 116 a forcontrolling a passenger service unit 112 a of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an example of the subject disclosure. In some examples,the system 116 a is used for the system 116 in FIG. 1 and the passengerservice unit 112 a is used for the passenger service unit 112 in FIG. 1.The passenger service unit 112 a is an example of a passenger serviceunit 112 that is used in an aircraft that includes a cabin networkcontrol system 132 and the passenger service unit 112 a is not equippedwith a wireless receiver for receiving wireless or EM signals.Accordingly, one of the uses or benefits of the exemplary system 116 ais that the system 116 a is implementable in an aircraft having a cabinnetwork control system 132 and the passenger service unit 112 a is notequipped with a wireless receiver. The system 116 a includes a processor136 and a memory 138 associated with the processor 136. In the examplein FIG. 2, the processor 136 and the memory 138 reside in the passengerservice unit 112 a. The memory 138 includes computer-readable programinstructions 202 that, when executed by the processor 136 causes theprocessor 136 to perform a method or set of functions 204. An example ofthe method or the set of functions 204 will be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 5 as operations or steps of the method 500performed by the passenger service unit 112 a. In some examples, the setof functions 204 include transmitting, by a passenger service unit 112a, an electromagnetic (EM) signal 206 that is receivable by a personaldevice 130 of a passenger 114. The EM signal 206 includes identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a. The set offunctions 204 also include receiving a control message 208, by thepassenger service unit 112 a. The control message 208 includes anidentification of one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a and a control input for each of the one or moreselected devices 118. The set of functions 204 additionally includecontrolling operation of the one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a in response to receiving the controlmessage 208 and based on the control input for each selected device 118.

In the example in FIG. 2, the passenger service unit 112 a includes apassenger service module 210. The passenger service module 210 includesthe processor 136 and the memory 138. The passenger service module 210is configured to receive the control message 208 from a cabin networkcontrol system 132 in response to the cabin network control system 132receiving a wireless message 212 from the personal device 130 of thepassenger 114. The wireless message 212 includes the identification ofthe passenger service unit 112 a, the identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a, and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices 118.

The cabin network control system 132 includes a processor 214 forperforming operations by the cabin network control system 132. The cabinnetwork control system 132 or processor 214 is configured to transmitthe control message 208 to the passenger service unit 112 a or passengerservice module 210 in response to receiving the wireless message 212from the personal device 130. The cabin network control system 132 alsoincludes a receiver 216 for receiving the wireless message 212 from thepersonal device 130. In some examples, the receiver 216 is a transceiverthat can transmit and receive wireless signals.

The passenger service unit 112 a also includes an electromagnetic (EM)transmitter 218 configured to transmit the EM signal 206 that isreceivable by the personal device 130 of the passenger 114. Aspreviously described, the EM signal 206 includes identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a. In some examples,the EM transmitter 218 is configured to transmit a visible lightcommunication (VLC) signal as the EM signal 206. The VLC signal isreceivable by an optical sensor 220 of the personal device 130. In someexamples, the EM transmitter 218 is configured to transmit the EM signal206 using pulse-width modulation in the EM signal 206 to define theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a tothe personal device 130 of the passenger 114.

As previously described, the passenger service unit 112 a includes aplurality of devices 118. The passenger service unit 112 a is configuredto receive a control message 208. The control message 208 includes anidentification of one or more selected devices 118 of the plurality ofdevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a and a control input foreach of the one or more selected devices 118. The one or more selecteddevices 118 are controlled in response to the control message 208 beingreceived and based on the control input for each selected device 118.

In the example in FIG. 2, the system 116 a also includes the personaldevice 130. The personal device 130 is configured to control a passengerservice unit 112 a. The personal device 130 includes a processor 222 anda memory 224 associated with the processor 222. The memory 224 includescomputer-readable program instructions 226 that, when executed by theprocessor 222 causes the processor 222 to perform a method or set offunctions 228. An example of the method or the set of functions 228 aredescribed with reference to FIG. 5 as steps of the method 500 beingperformed by the personal device 130. In some examples, the set offunctions 228 include receiving, by a personal device 130 of a passenger114, an electromagnetic (EM) signal 206. The EM signal 206 includesidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a. Inthe example in FIG. 2, the PSU identification information 230 is storedin the memory 224 of the personal device 130. The set of functions 228also include transmitting, by the personal device 130 of the passenger114, a wireless message 212 or wireless control message 302 or 308 (FIG.3) for controlling operation of one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a. The wireless message 212 or a wirelesscontrol message 302 or 308 includes an identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a and a controlinput for each of the one or more selected devices 118.

The personal device 130 configured to control a passenger service unit112 also includes a passenger service unit (PSU) control application 232operating on the personal device 130 of a passenger 114. In someexamples, the PSU control application 232 is embodied in the set offunctions 228 and performs the operations or method steps described withreference to FIG. 5 as steps of the method 500 being performed by thepersonal device 130. The personal device 130 additionally includes anelectromagnetic (EM) receiver 234, a transmitter 244 and a display 238.The transmitter 244 is either the wireless transmitter 236 or thetransceiver 242 of the personal device 130 as described in more detailherein. The PSU control application 232 is configured to control the EMreceiver 234 of the personal device 130 to receive an EM signal 206 fromthe passenger service unit 112 a. As previously described, the EM signal206 includes identification information 230 of the passenger serviceunit 112 a. The PSU control application 232 is also configured tocontrol the transmitter 244 of the personal device 130 to transmit amessage 212 for controlling operation of one or more selected devices118 of the passenger service unit 112 a. As previously described, themessage 212 includes an identification of the one or more selecteddevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a and a control input foreach of the one or more selected devices 118.

In some examples, the EM receiver 234 includes an optical sensor 220 ora camera of the personal device 130 configured to receive a visiblelight communication (VLC) signal as the EM signal 206. In some examples,the EM receiver 234 is configured to receive the EM signal 206 usingpulse-width modulation in the EM signal 206 to define the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a.

In some examples, the PSU control application 232 is further configuredto control the EM receiver 234 of the personal device 130 to receivemultiple EM signals 206 from the passenger service unit 112 a. The PSUcontrol application 232 uses the multiple EM signals 206 to triangulatea location of the personal device 130 to pair the personal device 130 toa particular passenger service unit 112 a as described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 5.

In the example in FIG. 2, the transmitter 244 is the transceiver 242 ofthe personal device 130. The PSU control application 232 is furtherconfigured to control the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130 totransmit a wireless message 212 to the cabin network control system 132for controlling operation of the one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a. The wireless message 212 includes theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a, theidentification of the one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a to be controlled, and the control input for each ofthe one or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112a. As previously described, the cabin network control system 132 isconfigured to transmit a control message 208 to the passenger serviceunit 112 a in response to the wireless message 212 from the personaldevice 130. The control message 208 includes the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a, the identificationof the one or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit112 a, and the control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices 118.

In an example as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3, thetransmitter 244 is a wireless transmitter 236 of the personal device130. In this example, the PSU control application 232 is furtherconfigured to control the wireless transmitter 236 of the personaldevice 130 to transmit a wireless control message 302 to the passengerservice unit 112 b to control operation of the one or more selecteddevices 118. The wireless control message 302 includes theidentification of the one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 b and the control input for each of the one or moreselected devices 118. In some examples, the wireless transmitter 236 isconfigured to transmit the wireless control message 302 as a visiblelight communication (VLC) control message being receivable by an opticalsensor 306 of the passenger service unit 112 b.

The PSU control application 232 is further configured to control thedisplay 238 of the personal device 130 to present a graphical userinterface (GUI) 246 on the display 238 to allow a particular device 118or devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a to be selected by thepassenger 114 for controlling operation of the particular device 118 ordevices 118. The particular device 118 or devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a represented in the graphical user interface 246 forselection by the passenger 114 include at least one of a light 124, anairflow control device 126, and an attendant call device 128. An exampleof a graphical user interface 246 will be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 4. In some examples, the display 238 is a touchscreentype display that allows the user to enter information by touching thescreen with a finger, stylus or other apparatus. In other examples, thepersonal device 130 includes or also includes a keypad or keyboard (notshown) as known in the art for selecting or entering information in acomputer device.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system 116 b forcontrolling a passenger service unit 112 b of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with another example of the subject disclosure. In someexamples, the system 116 b is used for the system 116 in FIG. 1 and thepassenger service unit 112 b is used for the passenger service unit 112in FIG. 1. The personal device 130 is the same as the personal device130 described with reference to FIG. 2. The passenger service unit 112 bis an example of a standalone passenger service unit 112 b. Accordingly,one of the uses or benefits of the system 116 b is that the system 116 bis implementable in aircraft without a cabin network control system 132.

The system 116 b includes a processor 136 and a memory 138 associatedwith the processor 136 that are the same as the system 116 a in FIG. 2.In the example in FIG. 3, the passenger service unit 112 b includes apassenger service unit (PSU) controller 304 that is configured tocontrol operation of the passenger service unit 112 b as describedherein. The processor 136 and memory 138 of the system 116 b arecomponents of the PSU controller 304. The memory 138 includescomputer-readable program instructions 202 that, when executed by theprocessor 136 causes the processor 136 to perform a set of functions 204that are the same as those described with respect to the system 116 a inFIG. 2. An example of the set of functions 204 will be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 5 as operations or steps of the method 500performed by the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b.

The passenger service unit 112 b also includes an EM transmitter 218, anairflow control device 126 and an attendant call device 128 that are thesame as the passenger service unit 112 a. The EM transmitter 218 ofpassenger service unit 112 b operates the same as the EM transmitter 218of passenger service unit 112 a described with reference to FIG. 2. Thepassenger service unit 112 b further includes a wireless receiver 134configured to receive a wireless control message 302 or 308 from thepersonal device 130 of the passenger 114. The wireless control message302 or 308 includes the identification of the one or more selecteddevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b to be controlled and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices 118. Thewireless receiver 134 is configured to receive a wireless controlmessage 302 from the wireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130or a wireless control message 308 from the transceiver 242 of thepersonal device 130. In some examples, the wireless receiver 134includes an optical sensor 306 configured to receive a visible lightcommunication (VLC) control message as the wireless control message 302from an optical transmitter 240 or light of the personal device 130. Thewireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130 is an opticaltransmitter 240 or light configured to transmit the wireless controlmessage 302 as a VLC control message. The VLC control message isreceivable by the optical sensor 306 of the passenger service unit 112b. In some examples, the optical transmitter 240 or light is also usedas a flash for a camera of the personal device 130. In other examples,the wireless receiver 134 is configured to receive a wireless controlmessage 308 from the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of a graphical user interface(GUI) 246 for controlling the one or more selected devices 118 (FIGS.1-3) of a passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b in accordance with anexample of the subject disclosure. As previously described, the PSUcontrol application 232 (FIGS. 2-3) is configured to control the display238 of the personal device 130 to present the graphical user interface246 on the display 238 to allow a particular device 118 or devices 118of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to be selected by thepassenger 114 for controlling operation of the particular device 118 ordevices 118. The particular device 118 or devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b represented in the graphical user interface246 for selection by the passenger 114 include at least one of a light124, for example a reading light, an airflow control device 126, and anattendant call device 128. In the example in FIG. 4, the GUI 246includes a first feature 402 a or button to select the light 124 and toenter a control input 404 a to control operation of the light 124.Examples of the control input 404 a for the light 124 include on, off,or a setting for dimming the light 124.

The GUI 246 also includes a second feature 402 b or button to select theairflow control device 126 and to enter a control input 404 b to controloperation of the airflow control device 126. Examples of the controlinput 404 b for the airflow control device 126 include but are notnecessarily limited to velocity or volume of the airflow and atemperature of the airflow.

The GUI 246 also includes a third feature 402 c or button to select theattendant call device 128 and to enter a control input 404 c to controloperation of the attendant call device 128. Examples of the controlinput 404 c for the attendant call device 128 include but are notnecessarily limited to calling the attendant and/or ordering aparticular service.

In some examples, the GUI 246 includes a fourth feature 402 d or buttonto select another device 118 that is a component of certain types ofpassenger service units 112. A feature to enter an input control 404 dis also associated with the fourth feature 402 d.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of an example of a method 500 for controlling apassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b of FIGS. 1 to 3 that may use theGUI of FIG. 4, in accordance with some examples of the subjectdisclosure. The exemplary method 500 is divided into operationsperformed by a personal device 130 of a passenger 114 (FIG. 1),operations or method steps performed by a cabin network control system132, if present, and operations performed by the passenger service unit(PSU) 112 a or 112 b. In some examples, the method 500 is embodied inand performed by components of the system 116, 116 a or 116 b asdescribed herein.

The method 500 includes at least transmitting 510 an EM signal 206,receiving 532 a control message 208, 302, or 308, and controlling 534operation of the passenger service unit (PSU) 112 a or 112 b. In analternative embodiment, the method 500 includes at least receiving 512an EM signal 206 and transmitting 522 a message 212, 302, or 308 forcontrolling 534 operation of the passenger service unit (PSU) 112 a or112 b.

In block 502, the method 500 includes opening or activating a PSUcontrol application 232 on a personal device 130 by an action of a useror passenger 114. As previously described, examples of the personaldevice 130 include but are not necessarily limited to a smartphone,tablet computer, laptop computer with a camera, or any opticalsensor-enabled personal device.

In block 504, the method 500 includes activating a process, by the PSUcontrol application 232, to pair the personal device 130 of thepassenger 114 to the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b associatedwith the location of the personal device 130 which corresponds to theseat 106 of the passenger 114.

In block 506, the method 500 also includes activating an electromagnetic(EM) receiver 234 of the personal device 130, by the PSU controlapplication 232, to receive an EM signal 206 from the passenger serviceunit 112 a or 112 b to pair the personal device 130 to the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b associated with the location or seat 106 ofthe passenger 114. As previously described, the PSU control application232 is configured to control the EM receiver 234 of the personal device130 to receive the EM signal 206 from the passenger service unit 112 aor 112 b. The EM signal 206 includes identification information 230 ofthe passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. In some examples, the EMreceiver 314 is an optical sensor 220, e.g., camera of a smartphone,tablet, laptop computer, etc.

In block 508, the method 500 includes activating an EM transmitter 218of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to transmit the EM signal206 that is receivable by the EM receiver 234 of the personal device 130of the passenger 114. In some examples, the EM transmitter 218 isactivated by the passenger service module 210 (FIG. 2) or PSU controller304 (FIG. 3) in response to an input from a flight crew member. Forexample, the flight crew member enters an input into the cabin networkcontrol system 132 or other cabin control mechanism, and the cabinnetwork control system 132 or cabin control mechanism causes thepassenger service module 210 or PSU controller 304 to activate the EMtransmitter 218.

In block 510, the method 500 includes transmitting, by the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b, an electromagnetic (EM) signal 206 that isreceivable by the personal device 130 of the passenger 114. The EMsignal 206 includes identification information 230 of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b. The identification information 230 is usedto pair the personal device 130 of the passenger 114 to the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b associated with the location of the personaldevice 130 or the seat 106 of the passenger 114. The EM signal 206 istransmitted by the EM transmitter 218 of the passenger service unit 112a or 112 b to the EM receiver 234 of the personal device 130.

In some examples, as previously described, the EM transmitter 218 is alight 124 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. Accordingly,transmitting the EM signal 206 includes transmitting a visible lightcommunication (VLC) signal that is receivable by an optical sensor 220of the personal device 130. Visible light communication is also referredto as light fidelity (LiFi). The VLC signal includes the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to pair thepersonal device 130 with the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 bassociated with the seat 106 of the passenger 114.

In some examples, transmitting the EM signal 206 includes usingpulse-width modulation (PWM) in the EM signal 206 to define theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or112 b to the personal device 130 of the passenger 114. Using the PWMincludes cycling a light, such as the light 124, of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b on and off at a PWM rate that is faster thana human eye can detect. A PWM rate for VLC communications is less thanabout one millisecond or faster. A PWM rate that is noticeable to thehuman eye is about 16 milliseconds or slower. The visible portion of theEM spectrum includes wavelengths between about 450 nanometers and about850 nanometers. However, an EM transmitter 218 and corresponding EMreceiver 234 operating in different portions of the EM spectrum are alsouseable.

In some examples, transmitting the EM signal 206 in block 510 includestransmitting multiple EM signals 206 or VLC signals to the personaldevice 130. The multiple EM signals 206 are used by the personal device130 to triangulate a location of the personal device 130 to pair thepersonal device 130 with a particular passenger service unit 112 a or112 b. Each of the multiple EM signals 206 includes the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b.

In block 512, the method 500 includes receiving, by a personal device130 of the passenger 114, the electromagnetic (EM) signal 206. Aspreviously described, the EM signal 206 includes identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. Theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or112 b is used to pair the personal device 130 with a particularpassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b associated with the location ofthe personal device 130 or the seat 106 of the passenger 114.

In some examples, as previously described, receiving the EM signal 206by the personal device includes receiving a VLC signal that isreceivable by the optical sensor 220 of the personal device 130.

In some examples, receiving the EM signal includes using pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) in the EM signal 206 to define the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b.

In some examples, the method 500 in block 512 includes receivingmultiple EM signals 206 transmitted by the passenger service unit 112 aand 112 b. In block 514, the method 500 also includes using the multipleEM signals 206 to triangulate a location of the personal device 130,based on relative signal strength of the multiple EM signals 206, topair the personal device 130 with a particular passenger service unit112 a or 112 b. As previously described, the personal device 130 of thepassenger 114 includes a passenger service unit (PSU) controlapplication 232 configured to pair the personal device 130 with theparticular passenger service unit 112 a and 112 b using the multiple EMsignals 206 and based on the identification information 230 of thepassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. The PSU control application 232pairs the personal device 130 with the particular passenger service unit112 a and 112 b based on the relative signal strength of the multiple EMsignals 206.

In block 516, the identification information 230 of the passengerservice unit 112 a and 112 b paired with the personal device 130 isstored in a memory 224 of the personal device 130. In some examples, asdescribed herein, a wireless message 212 transmitted to the cabinnetwork control system 132 includes the identification information 230of the passenger service unit 112 a for controlling one or more selecteddevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a.

In block 518, the method 500 includes presenting a graphical userinterface (GUI) 246 for selecting one or more device 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to be controlled, and for enter acontrol input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices118. As previously described, the PSU control application 232 isconfigured to control the display 238 of the personal device 130 topresent the GUI 246 on the display 238 to allow a particular device ordevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to be selectedby the passenger 114 for controlling operation of the particular deviceor devices 118.

In block 520, the method 500 includes receiving a selection of one ormore devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 d to becontrolled and a control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices 118. The one or more selected devices 118 and the control inputfor each of the one or more selected devices 118 are received by thepersonal device 130 from the passenger 114 via the GUI 246.

In block 522, the method 500 includes transmitting a message forcontrolling operation of the one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. The message includes at least anidentification of the one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b and a control input 404 a-404 d for each ofthe one or more selected devices 118.

In some examples and where the aircraft includes a cabin network controlsystem 132 and/or the passenger service unit 112 does not include awireless receiver 134, e.g., passenger service unit 112 a, the method500 or PSU control application 232 performs the operation in block 524.In block 524, transmitting the message includes transmitting a wirelessmessage 212 to a cabin network control system 132 for controlling theone or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a.The wireless message 212 includes the identification information 230 ofthe passenger service unit 112 a, the identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a to becontrolled, and the control input 404 a-404 d for each of the one ormore selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a. The cabinnetwork control system 132 is configured to transmit (block 528) acontrol message 208 to the passenger service unit 112 a in response toreceiving (block 526) the wireless message 212. The control message 208includes the identification information 230 of the passenger serviceunit 112 a, the identification of the one or more selected devices 118of the passenger service unit 112 a to be controlled, and the controlinput 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices 118.

In some examples, where the passenger service unit includes a wirelessreceiver 134, e.g., passenger service unit 112 b, the method 500 or PSUcontrol application 232 performs the operation in block 530. In block530, transmitting the message includes transmitting a wireless controlmessage 302 or 308 from the personal device 130 of the passenger 114 tothe passenger service unit 112 b to control operation of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b in response tothe wireless control message 302 or 308. In some examples, as previouslydescribed, the personal device 130 includes a wireless transmitter 236that transmits the wireless control message 302 to the passenger serviceunit 112 b. The PSU control application 232 is configured to control thewireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130 to transmit thewireless control message 302 to the passenger service unit 112 b tocontrol operation of the one or more selected devices 118. The wirelesscontrol message 302 includes the identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b and the controlinput 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices 118. ThePSU control application 232 is configured to control transmitting eitherthe wireless message 212 to the cabin network control system 132, ortransmitting the wireless control message 302 or 308 to the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b based on capabilities of systems on aparticular aircraft and/or preference of an airline.

In some examples, transmitting the wireless control message 302 includestransmitting a VLC control message from the personal device 130 to thepassenger service unit 112 b. In these examples, the wirelesstransmitter 236 is an optical transmitter 240 configured to transmit thewireless control message 302 as a VLC control message that is receivableby an optical sensor 306 of the passenger service unit 112 b.

In other examples, the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130transmits a wireless control message 308 to the wireless receiver 134 ofthe passenger service unit 112 b. The PSU control application 232 isconfigured to control the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130 totransmit the wireless control message 308 to the passenger service unit112 b to control operation of the one or more selected devices 118. Thewireless control message 308 includes the identification of the one ormore selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b to becontrolled and the control input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or moreselected devices 118.

In block 532, the method 500 includes receiving a control message 208,302 or 308, by the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. The controlmessage 208, 302 or 308 includes an identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b and acontrol input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices118. In examples where the aircraft includes a cabin network controlsystem 132 and/or the passenger service unit 112 a (FIG. 2) does notinclude a wireless receiver 134, the passenger service unit 112 areceives a control message 208 from the cabin network control system132. In examples where the aircraft does not include a cabin networkcontrol system 132 and/or the passenger service unit 112 b includes awireless receiver 134, the wireless receiver 134 of the passengerservice unit 112 b receives a wireless control message 302 from awireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130, or the wirelessreceiver 134 receives a wireless control message 308 from a transceiver242 of the personal device 130. In examples where the wireless receiver134 of the passenger service unit 112 b is an optical sensor 306, theoptical sensor 306 receives a VLC control message 302 from an opticaltransmitter 240 of the personal device 130.

In block 534, the method 500 includes controlling operation of each ofthe one or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 aor 112 b in response to receiving the control message 208, 302 or 308and based on the control input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or moreselected devices.

Further, the disclosure comprises examples according to the followingclauses:

Clause 1. A method for controlling a passenger service unit, the methodcomprising:

-   -   receiving, by a personal device of a passenger, an        electromagnetic (EM) signal, wherein the EM signal comprises        identification information of the passenger service unit; and    -   transmitting, by the personal device, a message for controlling        operation of one or more selected devices of the passenger        service unit, the message comprising an identification of the        one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit and a        control input for each of the one or more selected devices.

Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein receiving the EM signalcomprises receiving a visible light communication (VLC) signal that isreceivable by an optical sensor of the personal device.

Clause 3. The method of any of clauses 1 or 2, wherein receiving the EMsignal comprises using pulse-width modulation (PWM) in the EM signal todefine the identification information of the passenger service unit.

Clause 4. The method of any of clauses 1-2, or 3, wherein using the PWMcomprises cycling a light of the passenger service unit on and off at aPWM rate that is faster than a human eye can detect.

Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 1-3, or 4, further comprising:

-   -   receiving multiple EM signals transmitted by the passenger        service unit; and    -   using the multiple EM signals to triangulate a location of the        personal device to pair the personal device with a particular        passenger service unit, wherein the personal device of the        passenger comprises a passenger service unit (PSU) control        application configured to pair the personal device with the        particular passenger service unit using the multiple EM signals        and based on the identification information of the passenger        service unit.

Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1-4, or 5, wherein transmittingthe message comprises transmitting a wireless message to a cabin networkcontrol system for controlling the one or more selected devices of thepassenger service unit, the wireless message comprising theidentification information of the passenger service unit, theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit to be controlled, and the control input for each of the oneor more selected devices of the passenger service unit, wherein thecabin network control system is configured to transmit a control messageto the passenger service unit in response to receiving the wirelessmessage, the control message comprising the identification informationof the passenger service unit, the identification of the one or moreselected devices of the passenger service unit to be controlled, and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices.

Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 1-5, or 6, wherein transmittingthe message comprises transmitting a wireless control message from thepersonal device of the passenger to the passenger service unit tocontrol operation of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit in response to the wireless control message.

Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 1-6, or 7, wherein transmittingthe wireless control message comprises transmitting a VLC controlmessage from the personal device to the passenger service unit.

Clause 9. A personal device configured to control a passenger serviceunit, the personal device comprising:

-   -   a processor; and    -   a memory associated with the processor, the memory comprising        computer-readable program instructions that, when executed by        the processor causes the processor to perform the method of any        of clauses 1-8, or 9.

Clause 10. A personal device configured to control a passenger serviceunit, the personal comprising:

-   -   a processor; and    -   a memory associated with the processor, the memory comprising        computer-readable program instructions that, when executed by        the processor causes the processor to perform a set of functions        comprising:    -   receiving an electromagnetic (EM) signal, wherein the EM signal        comprises identification information of the passenger service        unit; and    -   transmitting a message for controlling operation of one or more        selected devices of the passenger service unit, the message        comprising an identification of the one or more selected devices        of the passenger service unit and a control input for each of        the one or more selected devices.

Clause 11. A personal device configured to control a passenger serviceunit, the personal device comprising:

-   -   a passenger service unit (PSU) control application operating on        a personal device of a passenger;    -   an electromagnetic (EM) receiver, wherein the PSU control        application is configured to control the EM receiver of the        personal device to receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal from        the passenger service unit, the EM signal comprising        identification information of the passenger service unit; and    -   a transmitter, wherein the PSU control application is configured        to control the transmitter of the personal device to transmit a        message for controlling operation of one or more selected        devices of the passenger service unit, the message comprising an        identification of the one or more selected devices of the        passenger service unit and a control input for each of the one        or more selected devices.

Clause 12. The personal device of clause 11, wherein the EM receivercomprises an optical sensor configured to receive a visible lightcommunication (VLC) signal as the EM signal.

Clause 13. The personal device of any of clauses 11 or 12, wherein theEM receiver is configured to receive the EM signal using pulse-widthmodulation in the EM signal to define the identification information ofthe passenger service unit.

Clause 14. The personal device of any of clauses 11-12, or 13, whereinthe PSU control application is further configured to control the EMreceiver of the personal device to receive multiple EM signals from thepassenger service unit, and wherein the PSU control application uses themultiple EM signals to triangulate a location of the personal device topair the personal device to a particular passenger service unit.

Clause 15. The personal device of any of clauses 11-13, or 14, furthercomprising a display, wherein the PSU control application is furtherconfigured to control the display of the personal device to present agraphical user interface on the display to allow a particular device ordevices of the passenger service unit to be selected by the passengerfor controlling operation of the particular device or devices.

Clause 16. The personal device of any of clauses 11-14, or 15, whereinthe particular device or devices of the passenger service unitrepresented in the graphical user interface for selection by thepassenger comprises at least one of a light, an airflow control device,and an attendant call device.

Clause 17. The personal device of any of clauses 11-15, or 16, whereinthe transmitter is a transceiver of the personal device and wherein thePSU control application is further configured to control the transceiverof the personal device to transmit a wireless message to a cabin networkcontrol system for controlling operation of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit, the wireless message comprisingthe identification information of the passenger service unit, theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit, and the control input for each of the one more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit.

Clause 18. The personal device of any of clauses 11-16, or 17, whereinthe cabin network control system is configured to transmit a controlmessage to the passenger service unit in response to receiving thewireless message from the personal device, the control messagecomprising the identification information of the passenger service unit,the identification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit and the control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices.

Clause 19. The personal device of any of clauses 11-17, or 18, whereinthe transmitter is a wireless transmitter of the personal device andwherein the PSU control application is further configured to control thewireless transmitter of the personal device to transmit a wirelesscontrol message to the passenger service unit to control operation ofthe one or more selected devices, the wireless control messagecomprising the identification of the one or more selected devices of thepassenger service unit and the control input for each of the one or moreselected devices.

Clause 20. The personal device of any of clauses 11-18, or 19, whereinthe wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the wireless controlmessage as a visible light communication (VLC) control message, the VLCcontrol message being receivable by an optical sensor of the passengerservice unit.

The subject disclosure may be a system 116, a method 500, and/or acomputer program product. In some examples, the set of functions 204 and228 are embodied on a computer program product, such as memory 138 or204 or other computer program product as described herein. The computerprogram product may include a computer-readable storage medium (ormedia) having computer-readable program instructions thereon for causinga processor to carry out aspects of the subject disclosure.

The computer-readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer-readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer-readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer-readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from acomputer-readable storage medium or to an external computer or externalstorage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local areanetwork, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network maycomprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers,wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computersand/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer-readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable programinstructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer-readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe subject disclosure may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. In some examples,electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logiccircuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logicarrays (PLA) may execute the computer-readable program instructions byutilizing state information of the computer-readable programinstructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order toperform aspects of the subject disclosure.

Aspects of the subject disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to examples of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer-readable program instructions.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousexamples of the subject disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexamples only and is not intended to be limiting of examples of thedisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“include,” “includes,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present examples has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to examples in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of examples.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement whichis calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for thespecific examples shown and that the examples have other applications inother environments. This application is intended to cover anyadaptations or variations. The following claims are in no way intendedto limit the scope of examples of the disclosure to the specificexamples described herein.

1. A method for controlling a passenger service unit, the methodcomprising: receiving, by a mobile personal device of a passenger, anelectromagnetic (EM) signal, wherein the EM signal comprisesidentification information of the passenger service unit; andtransmitting, by the mobile personal device, a message for controllingoperation of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit,the message comprising an identification of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit and a control input for each ofthe one or more selected devices, wherein transmitting the messagecomprises transmitting a wireless control message from the mobilepersonal device of the passenger directly to the passenger service unitwithout going through a cabin network control system to controloperation of the one or more selected devices, and wherein the wirelesscontrol message comprises one of a visible light communication (VLC)wireless control message or a radio frequency wireless control message.2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the EM signal comprisesreceiving a visible light communication (VLC) signal that is receivableby an optical sensor of the mobile personal device.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving the EM signal comprises using pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) in the EM signal to define the identificationinformation of the passenger service unit.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein using the PWM comprises cycling a light of the passenger serviceunit on and off at a PWM rate that is faster than a human eye candetect.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving multipleEM signals transmitted by multiple passenger service units; and usingthe multiple EM signals to triangulate a location of the mobile personaldevice to pair the mobile personal device with a particular passengerservice unit, wherein the mobile personal device of the passengercomprises a passenger service unit (PSU) control application configuredto pair the mobile personal device with the particular passenger serviceunit using the multiple EM signals and based on the identificationinformation of the passenger service unit.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the passenger service unit comprises a processorconfigured to control operation of the one or more selected devices ofthe passenger service unit in response to the wireless control messagefrom the mobile personal device of the passenger.
 8. (canceled)
 9. Themobile personal device configured to control the passenger service unit,the mobile personal device comprising: a processor; and a memoryassociated with the processor, the memory comprising computer-readableprogram instructions that, when executed by the processor causes theprocessor to perform the method of claim
 1. 10. A mobile personal deviceconfigured to control a passenger service unit, the mobile personaldevice comprising: a processor; and a memory associated with theprocessor, the memory comprising computer-readable program instructionsthat, when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform aset of functions comprising: receiving an electromagnetic (EM) signal,wherein the EM signal comprises identification information of thepassenger service unit; and transmitting a message for controllingoperation of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit,the message comprising an identification of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit and a control input for each ofthe one or more selected devices, wherein transmitting the messagecomprises transmitting a wireless control message from the mobilepersonal device of the passenger directly to the passenger service unitwithout going through a cabin network control system to controloperation of the one or more selected devices, and wherein the wirelesscontrol message comprises one of a visible light communication (VLC)wireless control message or a radio frequency wireless control message.11. A mobile personal device configured to control a passenger serviceunit, the mobile personal device comprising: a passenger service unit(PSU) control application operating on the mobile personal device of apassenger; an electromagnetic (EM) receiver, wherein the PSU controlapplication is configured to control the EM receiver of the mobilepersonal device to receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal from thepassenger service unit, the EM signal comprising identificationinformation of the passenger service unit; and a transmitter, whereinthe PSU control application is configured to control the transmitter ofthe mobile personal device to transmit a message for controllingoperation of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit,the message comprising an identification of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit and a control input for each ofthe one or more selected devices, wherein the message comprises awireless control message transmitted from the mobile personal devicedirectly to the passenger service unit without going through a cabinnetwork control system to control operation of the one or more selecteddevices, and wherein the wireless control message comprises one of avisible light communication (VLC) wireless control message or a radiofrequency wireless control message.
 12. The mobile personal device ofclaim 11, wherein the EM receiver comprises an optical sensor configuredto receive a visible light communication (VLC) signal as the EM signal.13. The mobile personal device of claim 11, wherein the EM receiver isconfigured to receive the EM signal using pulse-width modulation in theEM signal to define the identification information of the passengerservice unit.
 14. The mobile personal device of claim 11, wherein thePSU control application is further configured to control the EM receiverof the mobile personal device to receive multiple EM signals frommultiple passenger service units, and wherein the PSU controlapplication uses the multiple EM signals to triangulate a location ofthe mobile personal device to pair the mobile personal device to aparticular passenger service unit.
 15. The mobile personal device ofclaim 11, further comprising a display, wherein the PSU controlapplication is further configured to control the display of the mobilepersonal device to present a graphical user interface on the display toallow a particular device or devices of the passenger service unit to beselected by the passenger for controlling operation of the particulardevice or devices.
 16. The mobile personal device of claim 15, whereinthe particular device or devices of the passenger service unitrepresented in the graphical user interface for selection by thepassenger comprises at least one of a light, an airflow control device,and an attendant call device.
 17. The mobile personal device of claim11, wherein the transmitter is a transceiver of the mobile personaldevice and wherein the PSU control application is further configured tocontrol the transceiver of the mobile personal device to transmit theradio frequency wireless control message directly to passenger serviceunit for controlling operation of the one or more selected devices ofthe passenger service unit, the radio frequency wireless control messagecomprising the identification of the one or more selected devices of thepassenger service unit, and the control input for each of the one moreselected devices of the passenger service unit.
 18. (canceled)
 19. Themobile personal device of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is awireless transmitter of the mobile personal device and wherein the PSUcontrol application is further configured to control the wirelesstransmitter of the mobile personal device to transmit the wirelesscontrol message directly to the passenger service unit to controloperation of the one or more selected devices, the wireless controlmessage comprising the identification of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit and the control input for each ofthe one or more selected devices.
 20. The mobile personal device ofclaim 11, wherein the wireless transmitter comprises an opticaltransmitter and is configured to transmit the wireless control messageas the visible light communication (VLC) control message, the VLCcontrol message being receivable by an optical sensor of the passengerservice unit.
 21. The mobile personal device of claim 20, wherein theoptical transmitter comprises a light of the mobile personal device or aflash for a camera of the mobile personal device.
 22. The method ofclaim 1, wherein transmitting the control message comprises transmittingthe radio frequency wireless control message by a wireless transmitterof the mobile personal device, wherein the radio frequency wirelesscontrol message comprises the identification of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit to be controlled and the controlinput for each of the one or more selected devices.
 23. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising presenting a graphical user interface on adisplay of the mobile personal device to allow a particular device ordevices of the passenger service unit to be selected by the passengerfor controlling operation of the particular device or devices.